Slime Molds

Slime molds (myxomycetes) are closely related to amoeba. They propagate via spores (like fungi), but are able to move (unlike fungi). Their main food source is bacteria, yeast, fungi, and other microscopic things. A bird photography friend introduced me to the myxomycetes and I am hooked. We spend quite a bit of time photographing these tiny gems. Most of the 'fruiting bodies' of the slime molds are between 1-2mm tall. A few of the larger ones are up to 1-2cm. These microhabitats are fun to discover.

I'm still trying to figure out genus/species of the few myxomycetes I've been able to photograph. There are about 1000 species of slime molds in the world. To find them, you must look very closely on rotting logs or leaf litter. If you are interested, please do an internet search to find more information. There are plenty of YouTube videos, too.

I will begin putting in identification as I learn it. So please be patient. Right now, I just want to post some of these amazing photos. They change quickly, so you'll notice I've put time stamps on some to note the changes.

For most of the smaller fruiting bodies I use a Laowa 5x macro lens. For the larger slime molds or for a larger "birds-eye" view, I use a Laowa 2x macro lens.

Cribraria sp.

Hemitrichia decipiens

Hemitrichia decipiens

Hemitrichia decipiens

Cribraria macrocarpa and Arcyria cinerea

Cribraria macrocarpa

Cribraria macrocarpa

Cribraria macrocarpa

Hemitrichia decipiens

Metatrichia vesparia (Wasp nest slime mold)

25 July, 2024: 7:24pm

Stemonitis sp.

25 July, 2024: 8:17pm

Stemonitis sp.

25 July, 2024: 8:29pm

Stemonitis sp.

25 July, 2024: 10:01pm

Stemonitis sp.

26 July, 2024: 6:13am

Stemonitis sp.

Physarum polycephalum

Physarum polycephalum on a leaf

25 July, 2024: 9:18pm

Physarum album

26 July, 2024: 6:29am

Physarum album

28 July, 2024: 10:41am

Physarum album

Arcyria cinerea

Cribraria sp (possibly pyriformis or tenella)

Cribraria cancellata

4 July, 2024: 8:24am

5 July, 2024: 7:55am

Physarum album with small Cribraria sp.

Cribraria sp (possibly pyriformis or tenella)

Physarum album

Arcyria denudata

4 July, 2024: 9:17am

6 July, 2024: 11:19am

5 July, 2024: 8:03am

25 July, 2024: 7:31pm

Arcyria cinerea

25 July, 2024: 8:56pm

Arcyria cinerea

25 July, 2024: 9:56pm

Arcyria cinerea

28 July, 2024: 10:08am

Arcyria cinerea

Stemonitis sp.

7 Jul, 2024: 8:34am

Hemitrichia decipiens

8 Jul, 2024: 4:29pm

Hemitrichia decipiens

Stemonitis sp. with tiny Cribraria cancellata

9 Jul, 2024: 7:26pm

Hemitrichia decipiens

10 Jul, 2024: 6:22pm

Hemitrichia decipiens

Arcyria sp.

Physarum sp.

Ceratiomyxa fruticulosa with Physarum sp.

Ceratiomyxa fruticulosa

16 June, 2024

17 June, 2024

Phyasarum viride

Cribraria sp.

Cribraria cancellata

17 Aug, 2024: 7:56am

Physarum album

17 Aug, 2024: 4:25pm

Physarum album

17 Aug, 2024: 7:58am

Physarum album

17 Aug, 2024: 11:25am

Physarum album

18 Aug, 2024: 12:51pm

Physarum album

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